The Last Flight

[chartreuse]

Beautiful story.

For a few years we lived a couple of miles down the road from the Air Provost Marshall. Spitfires, Lancasters and the like were a common site. It was great, seeing them flying. But the best part was being in the pub, talking with the old boys who'd flown them the first time around.

[G26ster]

This choked me up:

http://thecommunitypaper.com/archive/20 ... /index.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It's funny how things from your past, that you had given up ever seeing again, can turn you into a kid again. Now I'm just a kid (68), and hopefully unlike the gentleman in the story, I won't be departing too soon (I hope). Recently I attended a militaria show in Ft. Worth. Lot's of unit patches for sale, thousands of them, but none for my unit in RVN. My company has no web site like many, no reunions, nada. Other units in the battalion do. In any case I began a web search for my unit patch. It turned up nothing at first. Then I found one! Guy wanted $235 for the darn thing, but I was so excited, as I was sure none existed after 40 years, that I "almost" sprang for it. Fortunately common sense took hold, and I didn't. My wife suggested I try eBay. I just lauged and said, "yeah, right." But what the heck, I'll type it in the search. To my amazement one came up for $5.99!! Now It's a replica for sure, but I'm sure all the originals not saved by my comrades have long since disappeared. Well I bought it, and when it came I was ecstatic. It's just a patch for crying out loud, but like the Naval Aviator in the story, it has great meaning for me. In a small way I can feel his experience. So now the skinny 28 year old Captain and his beloved unit patch are reunited, and I'm still thrilled over a cheap piece of cloth with so many memories. Now if I can just get my hands on an old AH-1 Cobra, and do one more steep dive gun run, I'd really be thrilled

[b322da]

This choked me up:

http://thecommunitypaper.com/archive/20 ... /index.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks so much for sharing with us, Andy. I still have tears in my eyes.

We owe so much to these old timers who were willing to give their lives for the rest of us.

Elmo

[b322da]

This choked me up:

http://thecommunitypaper.com/archive/20 ... /index.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It's funny how things from your past, that you had given up ever seeing again, can turn you into a kid again. Now I'm just a kid (68), and hopefully unlike the gentleman in the story, I won't be departing too soon (I hope). Recently I attended a militaria show in Ft. Worth. Lot's of unit patches for sale, thousands of them, but none for my unit in RVN. My company has no web site like many, no reunions, nada. Other units in the battalion do. In any case I began a web search for my unit patch. It turned up nothing at first. Then I found one! Guy wanted $235 for the darn thing, but I was so excited, as I was sure none existed after 40 years, that I "almost" sprang for it. Fortunately common sense took hold, and I didn't. My wife suggested I try eBay. I just lauged and said, "yeah, right." But what the heck, I'll type it in the search. To my amazement one came up for $5.99!! Now It's a replica for sure, but I'm sure all the originals not saved by my comrades have long since disappeared. Well I bought it, and when it came I was ecstatic. It's just a patch for crying out loud, but like the Naval Aviator in the story, it has great meaning for me. In a small way I can feel his experience. So now the skinny 28 year old Captain and his beloved unit patch are reunited, and I'm still thrilled over a cheap piece of cloth with so many memories. Now if I can just get my hands on an old AH-1 Cobra, and do one more steep dive gun run, I'd really be thrilled

We honor you and your service, G26ster.

I assure you that, compared to me, you are still a youngster.

Elmo

[glbedd53]

Lone Star Flight Museum in Galveston is a place worth checking out. I love those WW2 planes. Last year for my birthday my wife bought me a warbird ride on their B-17. When we were landing I had worked my way in to the nose and it was awesome. I flew on a Stearman 2 years ago the last time we went to Hawaii. The guy offered a flight that re traced the route the Japanese took when they bombed Pearl. He couldn't fly right over Pearl but close enough. I want to do both again but it's kinda expensive.

[fannypacker]

That's one of the few ways to evoke tears in this old vet. Great find.

[Hoi Polloi]

Great story!

[baldeagle]

Dang it, Andy. I struggled hard to get through that story. It stirs up so many emotions.

[SlickTX]

Something is wrong with my monitor. Its all smeared looking.

[Grammy]

This choked me up:

http://thecommunitypaper.com/archive/20 ... /index.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It's funny how things from your past, that you had given up ever seeing again, can turn you into a kid again. Now I'm just a kid (68), and hopefully unlike the gentleman in the story, I won't be departing too soon (I hope). Recently I attended a militaria show in Ft. Worth. Lot's of unit patches for sale, thousands of them, but none for my unit in RVN. My company has no web site like many, no reunions, nada. Other units in the battalion do. In any case I began a web search for my unit patch. It turned up nothing at first. Then I found one! Guy wanted $235 for the darn thing, but I was so excited, as I was sure none existed after 40 years, that I "almost" sprang for it. Fortunately common sense took hold, and I didn't. My wife suggested I try eBay. I just lauged and said, "yeah, right." But what the heck, I'll type it in the search. To my amazement one came up for $5.99!! Now It's a replica for sure, but I'm sure all the originals not saved by my comrades have long since disappeared. Well I bought it, and when it came I was ecstatic. It's just a patch for crying out loud, but like the Naval Aviator in the story, it has great meaning for me. In a small way I can feel his experience. So now the skinny 28 year old Captain and his beloved unit patch are reunited, and I'm still thrilled over a cheap piece of cloth with so many memories. Now if I can just get my hands on an old AH-1 Cobra, and do one more steep dive gun run, I'd really be thrilled

Thank you Sir

[Kythas]

This choked me up:

http://thecommunitypaper.com/archive/20 ... /index.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It's funny how things from your past, that you had given up ever seeing again, can turn you into a kid again. Now I'm just a kid (68), and hopefully unlike the gentleman in the story, I won't be departing too soon (I hope). Recently I attended a militaria show in Ft. Worth. Lot's of unit patches for sale, thousands of them, but none for my unit in RVN. My company has no web site like many, no reunions, nada. Other units in the battalion do. In any case I began a web search for my unit patch. It turned up nothing at first. Then I found one! Guy wanted $235 for the darn thing, but I was so excited, as I was sure none existed after 40 years, that I "almost" sprang for it. Fortunately common sense took hold, and I didn't. My wife suggested I try eBay. I just lauged and said, "yeah, right." But what the heck, I'll type it in the search. To my amazement one came up for $5.99!! Now It's a replica for sure, but I'm sure all the originals not saved by my comrades have long since disappeared. Well I bought it, and when it came I was ecstatic. It's just a patch for crying out loud, but like the Naval Aviator in the story, it has great meaning for me. In a small way I can feel his experience. So now the skinny 28 year old Captain and his beloved unit patch are reunited, and I'm still thrilled over a cheap piece of cloth with so many memories. Now if I can just get my hands on an old AH-1 Cobra, and do one more steep dive gun run, I'd really be thrilled

I know this is an old thread, but inquiring minds want to know.

What unit?

[Commander Cody]

AndyC... thanks for that post. One of the best I have ever read. I saved it to my favorite places for the future.

[74novaman]

Sent this to my sister who will be in flight school for the Air Force soon.

She sent back a one word response: Wow.


Very touching story, thanks for sharing.